FENNEL PROPERTIES

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a highly aromatic perennial plant, up to 120 cm high, highly branched, with feathery leaves and yellowish flowers, grouped in umbels. It is very common in ditches, crop edges, and lowland forest margins.The seeds are harvested, towards the end of summer, and more occasionally also the root and the leaves.

Fennel is marketed in the form of essential oil, a dried plant to be taken as an infusion (the famous fennel tea) or decoction, syrup, powder and the dry or fluid extract.Fennel is a wild plant known and appreciated since ancient times. Its healing properties stand out above all else, although it also has a place in the world of cooking and cosmetics.

It promote digestion as it has diuretic effects, it is also antispasmodic, detoxifying, diuretic and carminative. reduces bad taste in the mouth, fights halitosis since fennel has antimicrobial properties and has a pleasant aroma. It also helps people with hypertension since it is a plant rich in potassium. A mineral that stabilizes stress levels. If we combine it with hawthorn, periwinkle or bloodroot, its diuretic and anti-hypertensive qualities are enhanced. On the other hand, it helps regulate the production of hormones in the body, especially suitable for treating premenstrual syndrome! and it is usually indicated to reduce the adverse effects of a painful menstruation.

It is an ally of the pregnant woman due to its effectiveness in dissipating nausea and dizziness during pregnancy, and of the nursing mother, by increasing milk production. It is an emmenagogue, that is, it is a plant that favors menstruation in case of dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea since it has some active principles such as betaine and apiol. therefore also serves to combat constipation.

Contraindications

In case of being subjected to hormonal treatment, it is advisable not to consume it in any food or drink. In addition, it conflicts with some drugs. This is the case with ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic that this plant can render useless if they are not taken at least half an hour apart.People who are sensitive to the effects of estrogens should also not take this plant, as they would suffer the adverse effects. The consumption of its essential oil is capable of reducing the effectiveness of a contraceptive pill, so it should not be used before or after taking it.